How to Make a Bow Tie Out of a Regular Tie

Bow ties are back in style for both men and women, and can be folded out of regular ties.

While bow ties used to be reserved for formal affairs and tux-wear, bow ties are trending casually for both men and women. Alteration companies are offering services to convert old regular ties into bow ties, but you can save money by reworking regular ties into bow ties at home with a few simple folding tricks. The DIY method allows one accessory to be turned into two, maximizing styling options without having to cut or damage the regular tie.

Things You'll Need

• Regular tie
• Mirror

Instructions

1. Place the tie around your neck. The skinny side should be on the right and longer than the wide side on the left.

2. Cross the wide side over the skinny side. Fold the wide side up, under and through the hole at the front of the neck. Holding the skinny side with your right hand, pull the wide side snug to your neck with your right hand.

3. Find the wing on the backside of the wide end of the tie. Pinch the wing to pull it across the backside of the tie to match the tie's flat edge. Fold the pointed edge towards the backside of the tie.

4. Pinching the now folded edge of the tie, turn the section four inches inward, toward the neck. Turn the section inward once more, aligning the tie section with the middle of the neck.

5. Grasping the folded sections with your thumb and index fingers of your right hand, pinch the center of the tie folds. Pick up the skinny side of the tie with your left hand, and wrap it up and over the folded tie section and down through the neck hole. Repeat.

6. Fluff your bow tie as desired. Tuck the remaining skinny tie end into your shirt.

Tips & Warnings

• Reworked bow ties work best with button-up, collared shirts to hide the wrapped neck section and extra tie material.

References

• You Tube: HOW TO TIE A NORMAL NECKTIE INTO A QUALITY BOWTIE (THE ORIGINAL VIDEO)
• Evening-Wear-Guide.com: All About a Man's Bow Tie